Detection system for a vehicle

Abstract

A detection system for a vehicle includes a first time-of-flight module configured to emit and receive a first wireless transmission range to capture first positional information about a compartment of the vehicle. The detection system further includes a second time-of-flight module configured to emit and receive a second wireless transmission range to capture second positional information about a towable device in a region exterior to the vehicle. The second wireless transmission range is different than the first wireless transmission range. Control circuitry is in communication with the first and second time-of-flight modules and is configured to detect an interaction between the towable device and the vehicle based on the first and second positional information. The control circuitry is configured to determine at least one attribute of the interaction. The control circuitry is configured to communicate an output to indicate the at least one attribute of the interaction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A detection system for a vehicle, comprising:
 a first time-of-flight module configured to emit and receive a first wireless transmission range to capture first positional information about a compartment of the vehicle;   a second time-of-flight module configured to emit and receive a second wireless transmission range to capture second positional information about a towable device in a region exterior to the vehicle, the second wireless transmission range being different than the first wireless transmission range; and   control circuitry in communication with the first and second time-of-flight modules, the control circuitry configured to:
 detect an interaction between the towable device and the vehicle based on the first and second positional information; 
 determine at least one attribute of the interaction; and 
 communicate an output to indicate the at least one attribute of the interaction. 
   
     
     
         2 . The detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first connector on the towable device and a second connector operably coupled with the compartment, wherein the interaction includes a location of the first connector relative to the second connector.   
     
     
         3 . The detection system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one attribute includes an alignment between the first and second connectors. 
     
     
         4 . The detection system of  claim 2 , wherein the first connector operably couples with the second connector to form a hitch connection between the towable device and the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The detection system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one attribute includes an instability of the hitch connection. 
     
     
         6 . The detection system of  claim 5 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to detect the instability in response to a movement of the first connector relative to the second connector when the first connector is coupled to the second connector. 
     
     
         7 . The detection system of  claim 2 , wherein the interaction includes a gap between the vehicle and a front wall of the towable device. 
     
     
         8 . The detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensor configured to detect a position of a tailgate selectively closing the compartment, the tailgate moveable between an open position and a closed position.   
     
     
         9 . The detection system of  claim 8 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to selectively activate the first time-of-flight module in response to the position of the tailgate. 
     
     
         10 . The detection system of  claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to deactivate the first time-of-flight module in response to the tailgate being in the open position. 
     
     
         11 . The detection system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a housing disposed in the tailgate, wherein the first and second time-of-flight modules are disposed in the housing.   
     
     
         12 . The detection system of  claim 11 , wherein the tailgate defines a first opening facing the compartment and a second opening facing the region exterior to the vehicle, wherein the housing is disposed between the first and second openings. 
     
     
         13 . The detection system of  claim 12 , further comprising a cover operably coupled with the tailgate and selectively covering the first opening based on the position of the tailgate. 
     
     
         14 . The detection system of  claim 13 , wherein the cover is aligned with the first opening in response to the tailgate being in the opened position. 
     
     
         15 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the first time-of-flight module includes a LiDAR sensor and the second time-of-flight includes a RADAR sensor. 
     
     
         16 . A vehicle, comprising:
 a compartment;   a tailgate selectively closing the compartment;   a first time-of-flight module configured to emit and receive a first wireless transmission range to capture first positional information about the compartment of the vehicle;   a second time-of-flight module configured to emit and receive a second wireless transmission to capture second positional information about a towable device in a region exterior to the vehicle, the second wireless transmission range being different than the first wireless transmission range;   a housing disposed in the tailgate, wherein the first and second time-of-flight modules are disposed in the housing; and   control circuitry in communication with the first and second time-of-flight modules, the control circuitry configured to:
 detect an interaction between the towable device and the vehicle based on the first and second positional information; 
 determine at least one attribute of the interaction; and 
 communicate an output to indicate at least one attribute of the interaction. 
   
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a sensor configured to detect a position of the tailgate, the tailgate moveable between an open position and a closed position.   
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to selectively activate the first time-of-flight module in response to the position of the tailgate. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to deactivate the first time-of-flight module in response to the tailgate being in the open position. 
     
     
         20 . A detection system for a vehicle, comprising:
 a first time-of-flight module configured to emit and receive a first wireless transmission range to capture first positional information about a compartment of the vehicle;   a second time-of-flight module configured to emit and receive a second wireless transmission range to capture second positional information about a towable device in a region exterior to the vehicle, the second wireless transmission range being different than the first wireless transmission range; and   control circuitry in communication with the first and second time-of-flight modules, the control circuitry configured to:
 detect a hitch connection between a first connector on the towable device and a second connector operably coupled with the vehicle based on the first positional information; 
 determine an instability of the hitch connection based on a movement of the first connector relative to the second connector when the first connector is coupled to the second connector; and 
 communicate an output to indicate the instability.